We have had a fig tree growing in our polytunnel for about 4 yrs. It has matured to the point that it is now about 8 ft tall and also has an enormous amount of branches. It has never been pruned. Ideally I would like to transplant it outside as it has taken over and is hiding the sun from smaller plants as well as taking up too much space. I have searched the internet and discovered that I could easily kill it by moving it. The alternative is to prune it drastically as we would really like to keep it. It produces lots of figs for us. Does anyone have any advice please on either how to move it successfully or alternatively prune it right down without causing it too much stress? I am an amateur when it comes to pruning.Thank you.

If you prune it hard, it will produce loads of vegetative growth, and no figs. It will end up much bigger than it is now, to no purpose. Either prune selectively (one third of the canopy, always a clean cut, just above a leaf node) or bite the bullet and move it. I'd move it unless you have a 30' high polytunnel. The alternative option is to move it, hope for the best, and plant a new one, but prune one third of the stems each year. Figs like poor soil conditions, and especially a confined root system, so make a box out of paving slabs (ideally 1mx1m) if you decide to move it.

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